Has anyone any experience of ‘layering’ their sleeping bag? I have narrowed my choice for a new sleeping bag to two one down one synthetic. I am not overly enthusiastic about the packed size and weight and I am wondering whether I can do better with packed size and weight if I go for a 1-2 season down bag with silk and or fleece liner and or sleeping bag cover. I also have a Capaline base layer I can use. With so much synthetics in close proximity I might have to wear an earth strap.
Is it possible to effectively up the season rating just by adding layers and how far can you go before you have lost the space weight saving you set out to achieve?
The two bags are synthetic 15x31cm @ 1.07kg and down 25x17.5cm uncompressed @ 1.050kg.
Usage UK all seasons and Europe spring summer autumn.
It is possible to 'up' a bags rating with the addition of extra clothes / layers but it's not as straight forward as it appears.
Wearing your clothes means they're likely to become compressed which limits their effectiveness. The extra bulk inside the bag might also prevent your bag from lofting fully, although this will depend largely on the sleeping bag in question.
I think the most effective way to bump up a bags rating is something over the top of the bag ... quilt, blanket, etc although again, you need to make sure it doesn't squash the bag and prevent it from lofting.
However, I can't quite understand why a down bag weighing over a kilo, won't fulfill your requirements without the need for additions?
I do layer mine, both inside another bag and also with a cumulus quilt. It works pretty well for me but I'm 5'9 and just over 10 stone so there is plenty of space for lofting inside the bag.
one is a light 1 season down bag, the other has 300g of down and the quilt is a 250. I've used all three one mid winter bivy and was toasty at -12c overnight.
Search Mat at UKhammocks on Youtube he used to have a vid' of a combo' set-up using his quilts. I've talked to him about it before but the info isn't on his site. Better to discuss it direct by contacting him.
PHD down booties have transformed by sleeping system by adding insulation where it is needed most! Combined with a decent air mattress, thin Helly merino base layers and silk liner it makes my 300g PHD bag tenable for 3 season UK use.
Thanks for the reply.
The 1kg+ down bag is one I am thinking of buying.
The query was whether as an alternative I could buy a lighter lower rated bag and get a better result or more flexible set up by addition of a few extra layers and still come in under the 1 kg+ weight.
Apologies if not clear.
The 1kg+ down bag is one I am thinking of buying.
The query was whether as an alternative I could buy a lighter lower rated bag and get a better result or more flexible set up by addition of a few extra layers and still come in under the 1 kg+ weight.
Apologies if not clear.
Ah sorry, makes sense now ... I was a bit hard of thinking there for a moment
I think cost plays a big part now. My thinking is that a decent down bag that'll see you through the year won't cost much more than a 2 season down bag. If money isn't an issue, then a 2 season bag coupled with a summer quilt would be a good combo but I suppose that leaves you with one of them remaining under the bed for much of the year ... which seems a waste.
Faced with the same dilema, I'd opt for a 3/4 season down quilt ... easily vented in summer and easily bumped up in winter with a liner and jacket.
The problem with doing a bag in a bag is the sizing. We have a 4 system issued.. Light summer bag, big as f... , a good 3 season bag but bulky as f.... Silk liner, pretty standard. And a hooped bivi that make you eligible working in a circus as a contortionist.
Not that you can use the above to anything apart from the following. If you want a 2 bag system, make sure the outer one is loose enough without compressing the inner..
